Drying and conditioning of yarns



Feb. 8, 1949. I w. H. FURNESS 2,450,879

- DRYING AND CONDITIONING OF YARNS Filed April 24, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 N NTOR y '/W ATTO R N EYS Feb. 8, 1949. w. H. FURNESS DRYING AND CONDITIONING OF YARNS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1945 INVE TOR 1;, 5%., I

ATTORNEYJ Feb. 8, 1949. w. H. FURNESS DRYING AND CONDITIONING OF YARNS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 24, 1945 I INVENTOR v lat/m ATTORNEY5 I Patented Feb. 8, 1949 E'NT OFFICE DRYING QONDITIONING OF YARN S William H. Furness, Haddonfleld, N. J., assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application April- 24, 1945, Serial No. 590,084

. 13 Claims. (eras-24) This invention relates to the drying of yarns and is especially useful in the drying of rayon yarn, particularly when produced by the so-called continuous process.

The invention will be described as applied to the production of viscose yarn by the continuous process, and its nature, objects and advantages will be best understood from the following.

In the production of viscose yarn by the continuous process, the freshly spun yarn is-laid on a thread collecting, thread advancing device or reel, in the form of a continuous advancing helix. In this form, the yarn can be effectively subjected to the liquid treatments required. In some instances, a separate reel is provided for each liquid treatment, in which event usually from- 8 to 10 reels are required. In other instances, a single reel of adequate length is employed and the various liquids are successively applied longitudinally. of the reel. In both cases the yarn must be ultimately dried. It has been proposed to dry the yarn on a separate reel and also to dry it at the last stage on a single reel on which the liquid treatments are applied Various means for drying have been proposed,

these generally falling into two classes. One class i may be said-to employ direct heating and the other indirect heating. One type ofdirect heating is to blow hot air on the moist yarn either externally or internally of the reel. This type is open to theobjection that the hot air is blown into more or less free space, introduces heat and .vapor into the room affecting temperatures and humidity conditions, and requires hoods and extensive exhausting equipment, particularly because, ordinarily, the equipment must handle not only the hot air'employed for drying but alsothe vapors generated and, unavoidably, a large amount of the room atmosphere. The indirect type of heating usually employs electrical or other forms of heating elements which radiate heat to the moist yarn. This type of heating itself is not particularly advantageous and also requires extensive exhausting equipment and considerable power.

None of the proposals has been such as to make it practical to dry on the same reel on which the liquid treatments are applied. A separate. drying reel has been employed as thereby the whole reel may be enclosed to avoid the difliculties mentioned.

After the drying it is necessary to recondition the yarn, i. e., reintroduce moisture to the extent. desired. This also is ordinarily done in commercial practice, as a separate operation with separate equipment.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a very simple, inexpensive and effective drying means which has minimum effect on the room atmosphere, and has' the further advantage that,

if desired, it can be effectively applied to the reel or reelson which the liquid treatments are given. The dryer is such that it may also be effectively used as a conditioner, or arranged to functionas both dryer and conditioner.

How the foregoing, together with such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear, orare incident to my invention are realized, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a more or less side elevation of a single reel having my improved dryer and conditioner applied thereto;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the dryer, partially in section;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of Figure partially insecticn, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view-illustrating certain details of the invention, taken on the line 4'4 of Figure 3.

Referring now to Figure 1, the reference letter.

A indicates a reel which may be of any desired construction and which operates to advance the yarn as laid thereon, in the form of a continuously advancing helix. The preferred construction of reel is that shown in my copending application Serial No. 578,599. filed February 19, 1945, now Patent No. 2,456,120.

It will sufilce for the purpose of this specification that the yarn is laid on the right hand end of the reel by the whirler or whorl device 1 and is taken of! at the left hand end of the reel by a similar device 8, which removes the yarn, turn for I troughs 9, the collection being facilitatedby the under pressure, is supplied to the compartments a. Suction is applied tothe compartments s. Compartments a and s are interspersed, preferably alternating. Each compartment (1 is provided with a discharge or outlet means preferably in the form of a port I! at its inner end. i. c.. the end adjacent to the helix. This port is preferably annular. .-Each compartment s is provided .with a corresponding inlet means or port, preferably annular, ll, also adJacent to the helix and adjacent to the respective outlet port When air is blown into the compartments a. it discharges'radially inward around the periphcry of the reel and into and beyond the helix of yarn carried thereon. Immediately. however, it comes under the influence of the suction in the suction compartments s and the air delivered into and through the helix is forthwith withdrawn outwardly through the helix into the suction compartments, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 2. While the path of travel is relatively short, the air is applied to the yarn both mentoring and leaving.

vFor the drying operation, the air is preferably dry and is hot and the drying is Preferably done in stages. For example, in Figure l the reference numeral ll indicates a conduit leading from a source of pressure air, supplied by a pump, fan or the like, not shown. This air may'be dehumliied. The conduit ll leads to a manifold I! which is common to a plurality of the compartments of the dryer. Located within the conduit i4 is a controllable steam heater or other heating element I! which raises the temperature of the incoming air to from about 180 F. to about 200 F. This partially dries the yarn on the helix, the yarn entering that portion of the dryer served by the manifold ll being in its wet state. Immediately adiacent to the conduit II is another conduit [4 which delivers into the manifold ll, also common to a number of the compartments 0 of the dryer. This conduit is also provided with a controllable heater II and air at about 150 F. to about 170 F. is supplied to the manifold ll. The temperature of the air delivered by manifold I1 is preferably lower than that delivered by manifold I! for the reason that the yarn, at that stage, has already been partly dried. The manifold i'l advantageously serves suiiicient compartments a to dry the yarn practically to bone dryness. g

. If it be desired to combine with the dryer, a conditioning operation, i. e., the reintroduction of moisture to the desired extent into the dried yarn, this may be done by providing a third conduit i! serving the manifold 20, common to a plurality of compartments a. Here air. preferably-under pressure, is supplied at room temperature, say vfor example M 70", such air containhi8 moisture, say for example about 11%, for introducing moisture into, the .dricdyarn.

Suction manifolds 2|, preferably three in 4 number, are provided. each connected by a conduit I! to a suitable source or suction. One such suction manifold draws into compartments s the air which has been discharged from the compartments a which are served by the manifold Ii; another such suction manifold draws out the air through compartments s which has been discharged from the compartments 0 which are'served by the manifold I1; and the third suction manifold draws out through compartments s, the moist air which has been discharged ircm the compartments awhich are served by the manifold 2!.

The air supplied to the respective manifolds is controllable by conventional means, as for example by using variable speed fans or pumps. Steam heaters are preferably employed as the heat may be readily controlled by adjusting the amount of steam passing through the heaters by conventional means, such as valves.

For convenience in assembling about the reel, the dryer casing is divided or split into two parts which are detachably secured together by means such as shown at 23. The manifolds are bolted or otherwise secured to the casing, as by means of the nuts 2, and it is desirable to connect the manifolds to the breechings of the conduits by means of the flanged, bolted construction indicated at 28.

For simplicity of construction, ease of assembly and the ability to make the dryer and the conditioner of any desired length, the casing is made up of complementary ringlike members 26. It will be understood, of course, that since the easing is divided, so is each ring, two half-rings making up a whole ring.

The rings, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, are onsued and grooved in their bases so as to interfit with one another. The compartments are 40 formed by the bases and the webs 21, which latter have enlarged or shouldered heads 28 at their inner end portions. The width of the shoulder portions is less than that of the bases of the rings so as to provide the annular ports I! and II hereinbefore described. It,will be seen on inspection of Figures 2 and 4 that all of the rings are counterpart with the exception of the two end rings. Thus the longitudinal dimension of the casing may be increased or decreased as required merely by increasing or decreasing the number of counterpart rings. Therings may be fashioned from any suitable 'material such as aluminum and are readily molded.

Because of the interlocking arrangement of the rings it is only necessary to secure the end half-rings together in order to secure the two halves of the casing. If desired, however, additional bolt means 28 may be provided lengthwise of the casing.

It will be obvious that there will be very little hot air or moist air delivered into the room. Practically the only heat delivered into the room will be the small amount radiated from the casing which may be insulated on the outside. Thus control of room atmosphere is simplified.

It is preferable to blow in the hot air by superatmospheric pressure for otherwise the suction compartments might draw in room atmosphere to a substantial extent. As it is, with the hot air and the moist air under positive pressure, the natural tendency for such air is to flow into the suction compartments where the pressure is subatmospheric. Thus while it is insured on the one handthat the yarn will be effectively subjected to the hot air and to the conditioning air,

on the other hand very little, if any appreciable quantities of room atmosphere will be drawn into the suction compartments and little if any treating'air will be discharged into the room. There is no mixing of the several airs. The pressure and the suction are desirably adjusted to balance.

It will be clear that the construction may be used solely as a dryer or as a conditioner, or as ,upon the helix of yarn 32.

After the yarn leaves the conditioner it is removed as described and may be coned or otherwise laid up on a final collecting device, in form for use.

It is likewise clear that other forms of gaseous conditioning or drying medium may be employed to secure special eflects.

The hot air and the moist air discharged through the suction conduits may be led outside the room or may be reconditioned. and returned to the respective sources of supply. v

It will be understood that the drawing is illustrative. In large scale construction, a hot air heater and conduit would serve a number of driers and similarly with the conditioner.

The device is especially useful on'very large diametered reels (say five feet) for use in treating tow, for despite the large space surrounded by the dryer, little or no room atmosphere will be drawn in.

I claim:

1. A drier for yarns and the like comprising a casing adapted to surround yarn handling mechanism, said casing being compartmentized into a plurality of compartments, means for introducing hot air into certain of said compartments, and means for applying suction to others of said compartments, the hot air compartments and the suction compartments being interspersed, the hot air compartments having outlet means for discharging hot air and the suction compartments having inlet means for receiving air thus discharged, means for moving yarn in a helical path adjacent said outlet and inlet means, whereby the hot air discharged into the body of yarn is drawn into the suction compartments.

2. Ardrier for yarns and the like comprising a casing adapted to surround yarn handling mechanisin, said casing being compartmentized into a plurality of compartments, a hot air manifold common to certain of said compartments and adapted to supply hot air thereto, a suction manifold common to others of said compartments adapted to apply suction thereto, the hot air compartments and the suction compartments being interspersed, the hot air compartments having outlet means for discharging hot air and the suction compartments having inlet means spaced from said outlet means for receiving air thus discharged, means for moving yarn in a helical path adjacent said outlet and inlet means, means for supplying hot air to said hot air manifold, and a suction line communicating with said suction manifold.

3. A drier for yarns and the like comprising a casing adapted to surround yarn handling'mechanism, said casing being compartmentized into a plurality of compartments, a hot air manifold common to certain of said compartments and' adapted to supply hot air thereto, a suction manifold common to others of said compartments adapted to apply suctionthereto, the hot air compartments and the suction compartments being interspersed, the hot air compartments having outlet means for discharging hot air and the suction compartments having inlet means spaced from said outlet means for receiving air thus discharged, means for moving yarn in a helical path adjacent said outlet and inlet means, a source of air under pressure, a conduit for leading said pressure air to the hot air manifold, a heater in said conduit, a source of suction, and a conduit for connecting said suction manifold with said conduit.

4. A drier for yarns and the like comprising a casing adapted to surround yarn handling mechanism, said casing being compartmentized into a plurality of compartments, a hot air manifold common to certain of said compartments and adapted to supply hot air thereto, a suction manifold common to others of said compartments adapted to apply suction thereto, the hot air compartments and the suction-compartments being interspersed, the hot air compartments having outlet means for discharging hot air and the suctioncompartments having inlet means spaced from said outlet means for receiving air thus discharged. means for moving yarn in a helical path adjacent said outlet and inlet means, a source of air under pressure, a conduit for leading said pressure air to the hot air manifold, a heater in said conduit, a source of suction, and a conduit for connecting said suction manifold with said conduit, said heater being controllable.

5. A drier for yarns and the like comprising a casing adapted to surround yarn handling mechanism, said casing being compartmentized into a plurality of compartments, 2. hot air manifold common to certain of said compartments and adapted to supply hot air thereto, a suction manifold common to others of said compartments adapted to apply suction thereto, the hot air compartments and the suction compartments being interspersed, the hot air compartments having outlet means for discharging hot air and the suction compartments having inlet means spaced from said outlet means for receiving air thus discharged, means for moving yarn in ahelical path adjacent said outlet and inlet means,

a source of air under pressure. a conduit for leading said pressure air to the hot air manifold, a heater in said conduit,- a source of suction, and a conduit for connecting said suction manifold with said conduit, said heater being controllable and said suction source being controllable.

6. A drier for yarns and the like comprising a casing adapted to surround yarn handling mechanism, said casing being compartmentized into a plurality of compartments, means for introducing hot air into certain of said compartments, and means for applying suction to others of said compartments, the hot air compartments and the suction compartments being interspersed, the hot air compartments having outlet means for discharging hot air and the suction compartments having inlet means for receiving air thus discharged, means formoving yarn in a helical path adjacent said outlet and inlet means, whereby the hot air. discharged into the body of yarn is drawn into the suction compartments, said casing being of multipart construction and being provided with means for securing the parts together, whereby it may be assembled about said body of yarn.

7. The drier of claim 1 in which the casing is of annular form and comprises a plurality of complementary nesting ring-like members which when assembled constitute the casing.

8. The drier of claim 1 in which the casing is of annular form and comprises a plurality oi complementary nesting ring-like members which when assembled constitute the casing, the complementary members intermediate the ends being counterparts of one another.

9. In combination with a reel of the type having yarn supporting bars which advance the yarn along the reel in the form of a helix, a drier surrounding a portion of the reel and having its inner periphery adjacent to the periphery of the helix, said drier being divided into a plurality of annular compartments, means for supplying certain of said compartments with hot air, means for applying suction to others of said compartments, the hot air compartments and suction compartments being interspersed and respectively provided with discharge means and inlet means, the drier being of multipart construction whereby it may be assembled about the reel, and means for securing the drier parts together.

10. In combination with a reel of the type having yarn supporting bars which advance the yarn along the reel in the form of a helix, a drier surrounding a portion of the reel and having its inner periphery adjacent-to the P riphery of the helix, said drier being divided into a plurality of annular compartments, means for supplying certaln of said compartments with hot air, means for applying suction to others of said compartments, the hot air compartments and suction compartments being interspersed and respectively provided with discharge means and inlet means, the drier being of multipart construction whereby it may be assembled about the reel, and means for securing the drier parts together, the reel being supported at both ends.

11. The process which comprises laying up yarn in the form of an advancing single helix with a multiplicity of closely spaced turns, supporting the turns at spaced points peripherally, blowing under pressure a moisture modifying gaseous medium into and inwardly beyond the periphery of the helix in a plurality of narrow zones transverse the axis of the helix, and withdrawing outwardly through the periphery of the.

helix in a plurality of narrow zones alternating with the zones first mentioned, the gaseous medium so blown into and through the periphery.

12. The process which comprises Jaying up yarn in the form of an advancing single helix with a multiplicity of closely spaced turns, supporting the turns at spaced points peripherally, blowing under pressure a moisture modifying gaseous medium into and inwardly beyond the periphery of the helix in a plurality of narrow zones transverse the axis of the helix, and withdrawing outwardly through the periphery'of the helix in a plurality of narrow zones alternating with the zones first mentioned, the gaseous medium so blown into and through the periphery while controlling the effect of the moisture moditying medium so as to cause it to dry and then to humidity the yarn as it advances.

13. In yarn handling mechanism comprising reel means afiording support for a plurality of turns of yarn, the combination of casing elements in surrounding relation to the reel means, partition structure dividing the casing elements into a plurality of compartments extending transversely of the axis of the reel means and in surrounding relation thereto, each of said compartments having a narrow, slot-like aperture on its inner face, a pressure manifold connected to certain of said compartments and a suction manifold connected to other compartments interspersed among said certain compartments.

WILLIAM H. FURNESS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

